Customers cash in on loyalty

Customers cash in on loyalty

Travelling on points can make dreams come true. Just ask Patti Fasan and countless other Canadians.

Ms. Fasan and her husband Randy plan to use Aeroplan points to go to "an exotic place" still to be determined -- but probably somewhere in the South Pacific -- to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.

As a frequent business traveller, she had already accumulated 100,000 points toward this dream when her son Ryan's wedding plans led her to change direction temporarily. She used the points to fly four of his cousins from Ontario to British Columbia for the wedding in July.

"Although the kids were separated by 3,000 miles they grew up together, because we used our Aeroplan miles to go back to our family cottage in Ontario every year," Ms. Fasan says. "As I see it, Aeroplan helped keep the family connected. Giving my university-poor nieces and nephews my Aeroplan miles meant that they were all standing there in our garden in Vancouver when Ryan and his bride exchanged vows."

Now she is building up the points again toward that anniversary trip.

"We have a little time and I travel to Europe twice or three times a year for work," says the ceramic tile architectural specialist, who gives international seminars on her subject. "I'm really hoping that by the time our anniversary comes around, we will still be able to go on a phenomenal trip."

Lou Intini is a retired Toronto collector who took trips to China and Spain -- and gave his son a graduation trip to Europe -- using Air Miles. He says he earns most of his rewards points as he shops.

"I don't buy products that are more expensive just to get Air Miles. I just do my normal shopping and get Air Miles where I can. I also have a Mosaik MasterCard and an American Express Card that both give Air Miles."

Both Aeroplan and Air Miles operate in conjunction with a long list of partners.

Users can earn points toward flights by paying for other flights or by shopping, staying in hotels, renting vehicles, travelling by train, taking a cruise or using various credit cards.

Aeroplan, created by Air Canada in 1984, is promoted as "Canada's premier loyalty company with more than five million active members collecting Aeroplan miles through more than 100 partners, including Air Canada." (Since 2001, Aeroplan has been a limited partner of Air Canada with its own management team).

Aeroplan's partners represent some 150 brands in the financial, retail and travel sectors. Existing relationships include partnerships with CIBC, American Express, Bell, Esso, Home Hardware and Future Shop.

The Aeroplan program also works in conjunction with a number of other airlines. As well as reward flights with Air Canada, members can fly and earn points with members of Star Alliance.

Aeroplan points expire if there is no activity on the account for 12 months or more. Points must be used within seven years of the date they were earned or they expire.

Air Miles was created in 1992. According to the company, 15.4 million people use its card to collect reward miles. It, too, has links to numerous other companies across the country.

For example, the Rexall pharmacy chain, RONA, Shell, SportChek, The Shoe Company, A&P, Sobeys, Safeway, IGA and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario offer Air Miles with purchases.

WestJet launched its travel rewards program in 2004, partnering with the Bank of Montreal and Air Miles. Air Miles are also earned through train travel with VIA Rail.

Other forms of travel are also part of the air travel rewards circuit. Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises offer Aeroplan miles, for instance.

Car rental companies such as Hertz, Avis and National offer Aeroplan miles, while Alamo and Budget car rentals offer Air Miles.

Even some airport parking lots across the country offer points. Customers should note that ticket fees, taxes and surcharges are not covered by travel rewards programs.

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LOYALTY REWARDS

Here are some ways to earn travel points:

AIR MILES

- Fly on any eligible flight with WestJet or any of its partner airlines.

- Travel on VIA Rail (Collectors can now redeem earned Air Miles reward miles for VIA Rail gift cards as well as for train tickets.

- Use any credit card that offers Air Miles.

- Shop at any of more than 90 sponsors that offer Air Miles.

AEROPLAN

- Fly on any eligible flight with Air Canada or any of its partner airlines.

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